Springfield daily republic. [volume] (Springfield, O. [Ohio]) 1887-1888, 1887-05-18
BUYING A CUlP.

SPprNmflS BHleFBtlrl 10 himself rs me- SlbsNt
gazing intently at a cattle piece ''ou view"
with several other pictures of various di-
mensiuns eNpnsed in readiness for the
next DAYS sale in a fashionable auction
room.
"Shouldnt wonder II got il cheap. " he
went on. referring To the catalogue he
held in his hand Either from ignorance
or want of Judgment, this gem of a paint
ing is described here H. attributed 10
Cuyp-guita enough 10 hinder any one
from bidding unless he happens ~ know
better Attributed indeed should think
so. and rightly \ more undouhtcd speci-
men OF the master never hung on the
wall" -"
After thus decidedly expressing his
opinion and hestowing a farewell glance
on the object Of his admiration. the speaker
put his spectaclrs and the catalogue into
his pocket. and waddling ont uf the room
hailed passing hanson. which speedily
conveyed him 20 his home in Thurloe
square
Now, if there was one thing on which
Mr.. Palecourt .prided himself more than
another. il was his knowledge of art; al
though where he could have picked it up
was a puzzle not So easy To solve
He was a stout little man OF no patri-
clan extraction. who. having realized a
handsome fortune in business, had retired
into private life AT the age of 52. and taken
up his abode as he was wont 10 express
il. within stones throw" OF the South
Kensington museum; of which, as well as
Of every other artistic exhibition in Lon
don. he became an assduous frequenter.
BEING afflicted. moreover with the prevail
ent collecting" mania, he very soon con-
yerted the fairly spacious house occupied
by him into "a repository for all sorts Of
miscellaneous curiositieS, more or less
apccryphal, the fruits Of many an eNplor
ing ramble through the highways and by
ways Of the metropolis
His special hobby was the formation Of
picture gallery. and curious, indeed,
We're the examples of different schools un-
sarthed, no one but himself knew where,
but vouched for by their owners as origin
ais Of unimpeachable authenticity. He
had now an opportunity, which he resolved
not TO miss, of adding 10 his collection a
hitherto unrepreSented name. and before
reaching Hyde park corner had already
made up his mind in which room he would
hang up his acquisition when he got il.
Women have good eye for effect, " he
said. ''ill talk il over with Sophy, but
I'm pretty sure that she will be Of my
opinion"
Mrs. Palecourt, one Of the few ladies
nowadays wlrS prefer adopting their hus-
band 5 decision Ia the trouble Of thinking
for themselves, having, ss was antici-
pated, placidly Signified her approval,
vacant space on the dising room wall was
agreed upon a. fitting place of honor
for the coming masterpiece; and its in
81 tf.la
conclusion.
Slips, however, between the cup and the
lip will sometimes occur, and the next
mornings post brought with II sum
mons which materially affected Master
Septimus' plans. II was from an old
friend. on the point Of emharking the
same evening from Portsmouth, who de
sired 10 consult him "n certain business
matters before leaving England.
There's no help for ii. y said Mr.. Pale
court, after reading the letter aloud for
his wife's benefit. Il must g": 81 there's
an end "f II If he could only have waited
until Tomorrow.
Very provoking, y chimed in Sophy.
I'VE must hope for better luck another
time.
Not hkely, donhtiully replied her
liege lord. 'ouyi1~ don { turn up every
day. However, | may as well start at
once; and don wait dinner for me, for |
may not he back till late"
Stopping at the nearest sfationer's for
"Bradshaw on his way 10 Victoria, and
hastily consulting the instructive manual,
Mr. Palecourt suddenly discovered, Ia his
lneNpresslnle delight. that he had half an
hour Ia spare before the departure OF the
train.
BY love he muttered, Il never
Thought of that, have plenty of time 1"
leave commission with the auctiOneer,
there myself,